Trace element analysis of clearwing moths for identifying their natal sites and assessing adult dipersal patterns

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a technique for quantifying the adult dispersal and retention patterns of two clearwing moths, Glossosphecia romanovi and Sesia yezoensis (Sesiidae). We analyzed concentrations of 20 elements in each individual body by ICP-MS and discriminated their natal sites from the data. We found that element concentrations in the bodies of clearwing moths differed for each natal site to some extent and we could discriminate their natal site by the data. In particular, in the case of G.romanovi, we could generally discriminate small plots of their natal sites and detect an individual which had immigrated from another environment. This method can be used for other insects.